Author: Ramiro Merino

A graduate student pursuing my master's degree in Higher education at California State University, Fresno. I am passionate about digital storytelling, social media, strategic marketing, and branding. When not in class or work, I like to hang out with friends and family, run, and attend music festivals and concerts.

There will be a charge conference at the next Administrative Council meeting. One purpose is to vote on recommendations from Staff Parish regarding candidates for ministry. The candidates are Monique Andrade and Maggie Guekguezian. We will also voteon recommended changes to the Wesley Foundation by-laws. The Conference meeting is on Tuesday, May 19th at 6:30 p.m.

Many thanks to all who have continued their pledges and regular giving during this time! Pledge giving has kept pace with projections. Regular giving and plate giving are down. All gifts are received with joy and are much appreciated.

We have lost a major facility user, Decisions for Life. This represents a loss of $850 per month beginning in May. Recovery groups cannot meet due to the virus and we expect a revenue loss of approximately $600 per month. We are waiting on the fire inspection to be able to open Ed West for a rental by the Fresno Jewish Day School.

On May 5th, which would have been the start of General Conference 2020,Reconciling Ministries Network is hosting a virtual worship serviceto celebrate the strength of the Reconciling movement.

Join at 5 pm PT to relive the phenomenal music of Connection 2020, to receive words ofhealing and encouragement from a host of Reconciling movement-makers, and to be ledin worship by Rev. Kimberly Scott of Cross Roads UMC in Phoenix, AZ.

The service will be live-streamed on Facebook and available to viewon their homepage (rmnetowrk.org) at the start of the event on May 5th.

Check out the live stream at facebook.com/wesleyfresno. Live stream is a way to record and share an event on Facebook. You do not need a Facebook account to view. Click the link to live stream worship.

If you are asked to create a Facebook account, click “Not Now”. Click on the video. Watch worship and comment on prayer requests.

We are exploring making a DVD of worship to send in the mail. If you would like to be added to the list for future mailings, please call the office and email Pastor Karen.

…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patient endurance, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against these sorts of things, there is no law! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their ego, with its passions and desires. Sosince we live by the Spirit, let us follow her lead. Galatians 5:22b-25 The Inclusive Bible

I saw a post on Pinterest, one of the websites I use, that said: “you don’t have to have itall figured out to move forward.” It affirmed for me what I understand our walk, our journey as disciples, to be about. We don’t have to have it all figured out to begin that journey. Certainly, we are called to study and learn, grow in our understanding and in ourfaith. But we are also called to faithfulness. This to me is praxis, putting into actionwhat I believe as a disciple of Jesus Christ. When we begin that step, to grow in faithand faithfulness, we invite the Spirit into our lives and faith journey.

We didn’t have to have it all figured out to begin offering worship via Livestream. We arestill learning and we are thankful that you have been patient with us, your worship team.We didn’t have it all figured out to begin lunch hour prayer via Livestream or the Circlesof Care. In all of these ways, you have shared with us that the fruit of the Spirit has beenexperienced. We are grateful for the joy, love, and hope we share together.

May the blessing of the Spirit be yours. May the Spirit propel you forward in your walk asa disciple. May the fruit of the Spirit be yours so that you can walk in faith knowing youdon’t have to have it all figured out.